The chase for the 2016 European Cup will take its next step on Friday. Two teams attempting to qualify for the tournament will do battle in a match between Italy and Azerbaijan. The contest scheduled for 2:45 p.m. ET will be held at Renzo Barbera Stadium in Palermo and can be live streamed here free. Additional TV coverage can be found on ESPN Deportes.
Italy striker Ciro Immobile had this to offer ahead of today's European qualifier (via Goal): "The main difference from the World Cup days? I've already said that now I see a group of players that are very tight, a squad that marches towards our goals as one. [A squad] that is thrilled to be wearing this jersey and wants to wear it with respect and pride. I didn't find just 11 starting players and then the rest, as it was in Brazil."
"That's what Conte asked every one of us from the very start," he added. "It doesn't surprise me, knowing Conte as I know him."
Tactical Preview
Player to Watch: Immobile has made eight appearances for Borussia Dortmund in domestic and European competition. The 24-year-old has three goals and is averaging 2.5 shots per match. His turnover rate of 1.9, however, must decline if Italy are to avoid a determined counterattack from Azerbaijan.
Italy's Projected Lineup (3-5-2): Buffon; Chiellini, Bonucci, Ranocchia; Sciglio, Rossi, Pirlo, Marchisio, Candreva; Immobile, Zaza
Azerbaijan's Projected Lineup (4-4-2): Agayev; Budak, Huseynov, Sadigov, Shukurov; Qarayev; Nadirov, Amirquliyev, Huseynov, Dadashov; Aliyev
Note: Credit all statistics to officially licensed data from Opta Sports (via WhoScored).
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